Switching between apps

Becoming a master multitasker is as easy as pressing and holding the Back button on your Windows Phone, which shows you the apps you've used most recently. Swipe between them and tap one to resume progress where you left off. Your Windows Phone remembers it all for you.

Notes

There's a limit to how many apps your phone can remember at one time, which depends on your phone model and memory. When you reach the limit, apps that you haven't used for a while will no longer appear in the App switcher, so be careful not to stray too far from an app if you want to switch back to it.

Recently used apps won't appear in the App switcher after you've shut off the phone or backed out of an app using the Back button.

Finished with an app and ready to close it? Press and hold the Back button, then swipe through your open apps and screens and tap Close to close any you aren’t using. (To close apps, your phone needs to have Windows Phone software version 8.0.10501.127 or later. See How do I update my phone software? for more info on updating your phone.)

Windows Phone 8.1 offers an even faster way to close apps – press and hold the Back button, then swipe down on any app to close it.